Rural banks told: Act before it’s too late

The upcoming integrated economic community for the Southeast Asian bloc is widely expected to benefit all participating countries as it would open a larger market that is yet to be explored and tapped. Such integration, however, will likely increase competition, which might be too much for some local businesses to handle and cope with.

In this context, Mr. Gus Poston, co-founder of Bridge Advisory, a consulting and investment firm that focuses on provincial banking in Asia, urged rural bankers to “take action before it’s too late.”